Sagay City officials led by Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva with Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, DepEd Assistant Secretary Jerome Buenviaje and the Sinigayan Dancers at the opening of the 30th Sinigayan Festival at the Sagay City Public Plaza.*
Creativity, education, and cultural identity took center stage during the grand opening of the 30th Sinigayan Festival as Department of Education Assistant Secretary Jerome Buenviaje framed the celebration as a reminder that festivals serve as spaces where communities reconnect with their heritage while nurturing future generations.
Speaking on behalf of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara during the festival opening at the City Public Plaza Monday, March 16, Buenviaje described festivals like Sinigayan as “living classrooms of culture and history,” where communities remember their origins and pass on traditions to younger generations.
He said education plays a key role in sustaining these traditions, noting that schools today are increasingly integrating creativity into learning through programs such as the National Festival of Talents, as well as senior high school tracks related to animation, digital arts, film and media, and design and cultural industries.
Buenviaje also pointed to the growing role of the creative industry in national development, citing government data showing that the sector generated about P1.94 trillion, or 7.3 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
He noted that Filipino artists have continued to bring Filipino creativity to global audiences.
According to Buenviaje, these developments show how creativity has become both a cultural resource and an economic driver, as the country works toward strengthening the creative economy and positioning the Philippines as a regional leader in the sector by 2030.
GRAND PARADE
The grand opening of the 30th Sinigayan Festival was held at the Sagay City Public Plaza, following the grand parade that began at 5:30 a.m. from Sagay National High School.
The parade brought together Sagay City officials and employees, national government agencies, barangay officials and staff, business and financial institutions, civil society organizations, private establishments, and schools including DepEd Sagay, the State University of Northern Negros, and various private schools.
Drum and lyre corps from different schools joined the parade, along with festival floats carrying the candidates of the Sinigayan Queen pageant.
SHARED PURPOSE
Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva welcomed residents and guests to the milestone celebration, describing the festival as a reflection of the city’s continuing aspirations and collective dreams.
Cueva, in his message, said the Sinigayan Festival remains one of the occasions where Sagaynons gather to celebrate their shared identity while looking forward to the city’s future.
He also underscored the significance of the theme “We Learn, We Live, We Love,” which he said reflects the values that guide the community.
“Welcome to the grand opening of our Sinigayan Festival, a yearly celebration we all look forward to with enthusiasm as we build this inspiring theme—to learn, to live, to love,” Cueva said.
He invited residents and visitors to take part in the festivities, calling the celebration an opportunity for the community to continue strengthening its connection with one another and with the city’s cultural heritage.
“Thus today, I invite everyone to come and join the celebration as we continue to learn, live, and love,” the mayor added.
VALUES THAT ‘SHAPE COMMUNITIES’
Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) also reflected on the meaning behind the festival’s theme, emphasizing that the three ideas—learning, living, and loving—represent values that shape communities.
In his message, Marañon said learning involves understanding the lessons from both history and everyday experiences that guide communities toward progress.
He said living with purpose means translating those lessons into actions that strengthen communities and improve people’s lives.
Marañon also said loving one’s community is expressed through preserving traditions and supporting efforts that protect local culture.
Through these values, he said, festivals such as Sinigayan continue to highlight the spirit of the people of Sagay and their commitment to their shared heritage.
CELEBRATING CULTURE
Vice Mayor Narciso “Narwin” Javelosa Jr. said the festival’s theme reflects the spirit of community that has developed through the years.
“As we celebrate this festival, may we learn in shared wisdom, live in every vibrant moment, and above all open our hearts to love—loving our city, our culture, and our neighbors,” Javelosa said.
He described the festival as an occasion where Sagaynons come together to celebrate not only traditions but also the experiences and connections that shape the community.
“This festival is a testament to our community’s spirit and a celebration of everything that speaks of growth, experience, and connection,” he added.
ROOTED IN SAGAY’S STORY
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson acknowledged the role of cultural celebrations in strengthening community pride across Negros Occidental and recognized Sagay’s continuing efforts to preserve local traditions.
“Festivals like Sinigayan remind us how culture binds our communities together. They allow us to celebrate our heritage while strengthening the unity and pride of our people across Negros Occidental,” Lacson said.
Meanwhile, Engr. Primitivo Rivera Jr., president of the Sinigayan Foundation, described the festival as a celebration that highlights various aspects of Sagay’s life, from its coastal and agricultural heritage to the traditions that define the community.
Rivera said the festival has grown through the years as a gathering that reflects the identity of the city and the stories of its people.
Buenviaje said celebrations such as Sinigayan reflect how culture, education, and creativity continue to shape the identity of communities.
He emphasized that when young people are encouraged to explore the arts and creative industries, they also gain a deeper understanding of their heritage and their role in preserving it.
“As we nurture creativity among our learners, we are strengthening an important force that will help drive national development,” Buenviaje said, adding “Festivals like Sinigayan remind us that our stories, traditions, and shared pride are not only memories of the past but foundations for the future”.*PR
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